Slug lever actuator for type casting machines



March 1, 1932. G. w. FARLEY 1,847,428

SLUG LEVER ACTUATOR FOR TYPE CASTING MACHINES Filed July 7, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

BY I Z A T ORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 1, 1932 GEOEGE W. FARLEY, J5 EUREKA, CALIFORNIA SLUG LEVER ACTUATOR FOR TYRE CASTING MACHINES Application filed July 7,

This invention relates to linotype machines, and especially to a slug lever actuating mechanism whereby the slugs will be positively advanced on the galley to make room for each slug as it is discharged by the casting mechanism and delivered to the galley.

There are a number of type set-tin or slug casting machines manufactured by difi'erent firms, for instance, The linotype machine, the

Intertype machine, etc. These machines are equipped with a slug casting mechanism, a discharge chute, a galley to which the slugs are delivered one by one from the discharge chute, a slug lever whereby the slugs are advanced on the galley, and a mechanism whereby the slug lever is automatically actuated. The slug lever actuating mechanism moves the slug lever ahead, that is, towards the slugs on the galley by means of a spring and forces the slug lever to return to a retracted position by means of a roll-er. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the motion of the slug lever, but the range of adjustment is so small as to be practically worthless when the large slugs used in present day machines are considered. The slug lever is spring actuated in one direction and is in continuous use, the spring weakens probably from fatigue of the metal and the slugs are moved as desired especially when heavy or thick slugs are made for large type. This is a constant source of annoyance to the operator as he is compelled to remove his hands from the keyboard to push his slugs over on the galley.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construe tion and operation of the slug lever actuating mechanism; to provide a mechanism of this character which is cam actuated and positive in action; to provide a mechanism of this character which is adjustable to slugs of varying thickness; and, further, to provide a mechanism of this character which can be readily built into a new machine and just as readily attached to machines now in use.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the slug 1930. Serial No. 465,955.

lever and the slug lever actuating mechanism,

Fi 2 is a detail view of the delivery and elevator transfer cam showing the slug lever actuating cam attached thereto,

Fig. is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line Ill-lll of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4t is longitudinal section of the main actuating lever showing the manner in which it is longitudin lly adjusted with relation to its pivot,

5 is a plan view of the brackets and reel r arm shown in Figs. 6 and 7,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the bracket and rocker arm,

Fig. 7 is a front View of the same,

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the bearing block taken on line VIII- 1TH of Fig. l, and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the bearing block.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly Fig. 1, A indicates the galley to which the slugs 2 are delivered one by one and 3 the slug lever whereby the slugs are moved longitudinally of the galley. This lever is pivotally mounted on the frame B at the point indicated at l. ts upper end carries a pusher plate 5 which engages the slugs and mechanism is provided for imparting an oscillating movement to the slug lever so as to automatically and intermittently advance the slugs along the galley. This is accomplished as follows:

Supported on the base frame C of the linotype or slug casting machine is a bearing block 6 and pivotally mounted on the block is a main actuating lever 7. Secured on a pin 8, forming a part of the slug lever 3, is a bracket arm 9 on the lower end of which is formed an elongated shoe or plate 10. This plate is engaged by aroller 11 journaled on the outer end of the lever 7 and when rocking movement is imparted to the lever 7 engagemen is made between the roller 11 and the shoe or plate 10 thereby causing the slug lever to swing about its pivot d in the direction of arrow 4. During this movement the slugs 2 are moved longitudinally of the galley and when the slug lever is retracted, as will hereinafter be described, sufficient space will be formed between the pusher plate 5 and the slugs to aermit a slug from the casting machine or mold to be delivered. Lever 7 is, n this instance, actuated from the cam shaft 2 which carries the delivery and elevator .nsfer cam generally indicated 13. in e present instance, a cam lshereinafter to l e referred to as the slug lever cam is screwed or otherwise secured to one face of the delivcry and elevator transfer cam as shown. This cam engages roller 15 mounted on the upper end of lever 16 which is pivotally mounted as at 17 on a standard 18 secured to the base frame C. The lower end of this lever is prorid d with a roller 19 and this engages the inner end of the lever 7, the result being that once during each revolution of shaft 12, cam 1 lengages the roller 15 thereby transmitting a rocking movement to the lever 16 which in turn transmits movement through the roller 19 to the l ver 7. This swings about its ivot engages the plate 10 and as such mits movement to the slug lever 3 in the direction of arrow a, this movement advancing the slugs on the galley and, when cam 1% moves out of engagement with the roller 15, retraction or reverse movement of the slug lever takes place. This is accomplished by means of a spring actuated pin 20 which engages the extension 8 of the slug lever arm.

A detailed view of the pin 20 and its actu ating s z-ring is shown in Fig. 3. A bushing 21 inserted in the frame havii g con-e shaped recess 22 formed therein is provided. A second cone shaped bushing 23 is mounted on the pin 21 and is held thereon by nut 2%. This bushing, together with the cone shaped recess, insures alignment between the pin 20 and he pin 8. Pin 20 carries a collar and this is in turn engaged by a spring 26 which is internosedbetween the bushing 21 and tl e collar 2", hence during inward movement of the slug lever in the direction of arrow a pin 8 engages the pin 20 and moves it inwardly causing compression of spring 26. This takes place when cam 14 engages roller 15 but when com l l moves out of engagement with roller 15 spring 26 reexpands and forces the pin 20 outwardly. During this outward movement pin 8 is engaged and as it is secured to the slug lever 3, this will be retracted or returned to normal position thereby p oviding space for the next slug discharged by th ing mechanism and the discl chute connected therewith. This chi ..e connects the slug casting mechanism with the galle A t is not illustratedin the present instance.

The mechanism illustrated in the present instance is particularly intended as an attachment for machines already in use. The standard 18, which carries the lever 13 and the rollers 15 and 19, is accordingly made detachable. That is, the base portion thereof is forkshaped to straddle the base frame C and is there secured by set screws 28. Obviously if the mechanism is to be applied to a new machine the standard 18 may be cast as an integral part of the frame C, if desired.

t will be noted that one side of the .delivery and elevator transfer cam is provided with a recess such as shown at l la in Fig. 1, and roller 15 would ordinarily enter this recess and block the rotation of the cam 13 unless means are provided to retain it against such entrance. This is accomplished by forming a stop lug 29 on the upper end of the standard as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Lever 16 normally engages the stop lug 29 and as such prevents roller 15 from entering.

The inclined rib indicated at 30, in Fig. 1 of the drawings, forms a part of a standard make of machine now in use. It is for this reason that the bearing block 6 is channelshaped and provided with an inclined face as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the sides of the bearing block being drilled and tapped to permit insertion of set or clamping screws 31 whereby the bearing block may be rigidly secured. The lever 7 is mounted in a forkshaped block 7a and this is provided with a pivot 75, see Fig. 8, which swivels or turns in the bearing block 6 this lever 7 being retained in the block 7a by means of a top plate secured by nut 7d. Lever 7 is, however, longitudinally adjustable in the block 7a as a screw rod 32 Xtends through the block and has a threaded connection therewith. This rod is freely turnable in a bearing 33 formed on the und rside of the lever 7 and it is secured against endwise movement therein by means of collars 34. The opposite end of the screw rod is extended beyond the forward end of the lever 7 and terminates in a head 35 which may be grasped and rotated and when so rotated lever 7 is moved longitudinally in the block 7a so as to engage the plate 10 at one end or another or at any point intermediate the ends. This adjustment naturally changes the effective length of the lever and increases or decreases the stroke of the outer end which carries the roller 11. This adjustment is important as it varies the movement of the slug lever 3 and thus per- .mits the movement to be adjusted to take care of slugs of varying thickness.

When a linotype machine is in actual operation different size type slugs are cast. It is accordingly important to adjust the stroke of the slug lever to take care of varying thicknesses and this is readily accomplished by the adjustment provided. That is, the forward throw or movement of the slug lever is adjusted by moving the lever 7 longitudinally of its bearing block while the return or retracting movement of the slug lever is adjusted by means of the nuts 24. here the mechanism is to be applied to a new machine the bearing block 6 may be formed integral with the frame C and so may the standard 18 and the bracket arm 9, again the shoe or plate 10, may be cast integral with the slug lever 3. But where the mechanism is to be attached to a machine already in use the detachable structure disclosed is preferable.

VJhile certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finishes of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine for casting slugs of the character described having a cam shaft, a galley to receive the slugs and a slug lever to engage and advance the slugs longitudinally on the galley, an elongated plate on the slug lever, an actuating lever one end of which is engageable with said plate, a pivotal support for the actuating lever, a cam on the cam shaft, means engageable with the cam and the opposite end of the actuating lever whereby movement is transmitted to rock the slug lever in one direction, spring actuating means for rocking the slug lever in the opposite direction, and an adjustable connection between the actuating lever and its pivotal support whereby the effective length of the actuating lever may be varied.

2. In a machine for casting slugs of the character described, having a cam shaft, a galley to receive the slugs, and a pivotally mounted slug lever to engage and advance the slugs longitudinally on the galley, an actuating lever, one end of which is engageable with the slug lever, a pivotal support for the actuating lever intermediate its ends, a cam on the cam shaft, means engageable with the cam and the opposite end of the actuating lever whereby movement is transmitted to rock the slug lever in one direction, spring actuating means for rocking the slug lever in the opposite direction, and an adjustable connection on the actuating lever whereby rocking movement of the slug lever may be varied.

3. In combination with a device of the character described comprising, a slug lever, a cam mechanism and a lever connecting the slug lever Wlbll the cam mechanism, a pivotal support for said lever, said lever being slidably mounted on said pivotal support.

4. In combination with a device of the character described comprising, a slug lever, a cam mechanism and a lever connecting the slug lever with the cam mechanism, a pivotal support for said lever, said lever being slidably mounted on said pivotal support and a screw connected to the lever and threadedly carried by the support for slidably adjusting the lever to vary its elfective length.

5. In combination with a device of the character described comprising, a slug lever, a cam mechanism and a lever connecting the slug lever with the cam mechanism, a piv otal support for said lever, said lever being slidably mounted on said pivotal support and a screw connected to the lever and threadedly carried by the support for slidably adjusting the lever to var its elfective length, said screw extending eyond one end of the lever and terminating in a head member to permit of manual adjustment thereof.

6. In combination with a device of the char acter described comprising, a slug lever, a cam mechanism and a lever connecting the slug lever with the cam mechanism, a pivotal support for said lever, said lever being slidably mounted on said pivotal support and an adjusting screw connecting said lever and support for sliding the lever.

GEORGE W. FARLEY. 

